Rants and Raves: Quick-strike offense means little time of possession

Sep. 8, 2013

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San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Packers on Sunday in Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The defense spent nearly 40 of the game's 60 minutes on the field. / Jim Matthews/Press-Gazette Media

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Rant

The Packers rarely had the ball: 21 minutes, 25 seconds vs. San Francisco’s 38:35. There were a couple of contributing factors, not the least of which was the 49ers’ 34 rushing attempts. But the biggest factor may have been Green Bay’s quick-strike offense. None of the Packers’ four scoring drives ate up time to keep the 49ers’ defense on the field. In order, they consumed 1:47, 1:16, 2:48 and 2:30.

Rave

Green Bay’s no-huddle offense found its rhythm after the first two series. The biggest recipients were Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, who both had seven catches and went over the 100-yard mark; Nelson had 130 and Cobb 108.

Rant

Josh Sitton had two big second-quarter penalties, both coming on the play before a turnover. His illegal use of hands penalty nullified Eddie Lacy’s 10-yard run and backed the Packers up to their 10. On the next play, Lacy fumbled. Then, two quarters later, Sitton was called for holding to bring back James Starks’ 7-yard run. Aaron Rodgers threw an interception on the next play.

Rave

The Packers showed resilience on both sides of the ball. Things weren’t looking good when San Francisco scored on the first drive of the second half to take a 21-14 lead. But after the Packers went three-and-out on the next series, Green Bay’s defense responded by forcing the 49ers into a three-and-out, setting up a game-tying drive.

Rant

The Packers didn’t force a turnover and allowed 494 total yards. On a hot day in San Francisco, the defense seemed tired from being on the field for so long.

Rave

Johnny Jolly started and played the majority of the game. After a three-year absence, Jolly made a difference on the defensive line with a sack, a tackle for a loss and a quarterback hit.